FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bill Watkins, City Manager - (573) 874-7214, cityman@GoColumbiaMo.com or Toni Messina, Public Communications Director
(573) 874-7660, trmessin@GoColumbiaMo.com

Andrews recognized for career achievements

COLUMBIA, MO (September 22, 2010) - City Manager Bill Watkins loves it when citizens, organizations and others recognize excellent public service. And, when Bernie Andrews’ career in economic development got statewide attention last week, he was not surprised.

Andrews, executive vice-president of Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI), received the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) Director’s Career Service Award at a statewide conference in Kansas City, Mo. Governor Jay Nixon also named IBM’s new Columbia business campus Missouri’s “project of the year.”

“Bernie’s commitment to Columbia and this area runs long and deep,” Watkins said. “I’m so pleased for him and his family.”

Andrews started his economic development work with the City in 1996, starting as a senior economic development specialist and rising to REDI director and president in 2003. He became executive vice-president when Watkins named Mike Brooks REDI director in 2009. Andrews also worked almost 10 years with Missouri DED.

“Bernie is the consummate professional…always courteous and generous with his skills and knowledge,” Watkins said. “We have relied on him for many years, and I honor what he continues to achieve.”

The DED Director’s award recognizes an individual’s length of service; persistence and consistency of contributions to state and local economic development effort; ability to contribute positive effort; and recent success in an economic development effort. Since 2004, winners have included professionals from Washington, St. Louis, Kansas City and St. Charles, Mo.

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